REACTIONS, TRIBUTES
Trump himself confirmed on social media that Kirk had died from his injuries.
“The Great, and even Legendary, Charlie Kirk, is dead. No one understood or had the Heart of the Youth in the United States of America better than Charlie. He was loved and admired by ALL, especially me, and now, he is no longer with us,” Trump wrote.
The 79-year-old president said in a video posted to his Truth Social platform that Kirk “fought for liberty, democracy, justice and the American people. He’s a martyr for truth and freedom”.
He also ordered all government US flags flown at half-staff until Sunday in Kirk’s honour.
Both Republican and Democratic politicians expressed dismay over the shooting.
“Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord,” Vice President JD Vance, who was close to Kirk, wrote on X.
“I am shocked by the murder of Charlie Kirk at Utah Valley University,” Democratic House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries said in a statement.
“Political violence of any kind and against any individual is unacceptable and completely incompatible with American values. We pray for his family during this tragedy.”
Jack Posobiec, a politically aligned influencer, said in a conversation with Steve Bannon, who also hails from the political right, that the movement Kirk started “would never end”.
“We have to have steely resolve. Charlie Kirk is a casualty of war,” Bannon, who served in Trump’s White House during his first term, added on right-wing TV channel Real America’s Voice.
Other figures emphasised that Kirk’s passing at age 31 would inspire action.
“A match has been lit in America and I think that the American right, especially young people, are not going to take this,” Matt Boyle, of conservative news outlet Breitbart News, said in the exchange with Bannon.
Benny Johnson, a podcaster popular with Trump supporters, wrote on X: “Charlie Kirk is an American martyr.”
“His martyrdom must be a turning point for our country,” Kevin Roberts, president of the powerful Heritage Foundation think tank, said in a separate statement, in an apparent reference to the Turning Point group Kirk founded.
The Heritage Foundation has swayed Trump’s policy decisions and has held influence in conservative politics for years.
